Garrett: Private Life III Vinyl LP

I guess it’s no secret by now that Garrett is Dam-Funk’s alter ego of choice for the introspective, ambient instrumental side of his modern funk sound for the past few years. There’s very little difference between the sound of the Garrett material and some of the more atmospheric works from Toeachizown and Dame’s early Stones Throw EPs so if that’s your preferred flavor of funk, you should already be familiar with Private Life I and II, concluded now in a third and final incarnation on Music From Memory. Quite simply put, there’s no one else in the world operating on Dame’s level of musicianship and pure vibes, evidenced immediately on side A opener “Chasing The Clouds Away.” The uptempo “Hang Glyde” and “Pushin” find Garrett in high spirits whereas “Room With A View” slows it all the way down; “Knowing” and “Timeless” prove his g-funk card is still fully intact. Beatless centerfold “Memories” provides the perfect intermission with some balearic synth soloing over a bed of warm pads (perhaps a tribute to the label which has been so hospitable to Dame in the years since his last proper DF album), and he rides out towards the sunset via the 10 minute closing cut “Watching The Skies,” signaling an end to this chapter and a retreat to Private Life. Salute! 

• black vinyl pressing
• music label: Music From Memory 2020

reviewed by Fusilli Jerry 03/2021